FOUR crooks who falsely claimed benefits of more than £130,000 in a "sophisticated" fraud have been jailed.
Gang members said they had been employed by a fictitious firm and produced fake paperwork.
They went on to claim tax credits, jobseekers allowance, income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit.
Paperwork was provided by ringleader Kystyna Bil, 39, of Emerson Square, who would receive a fee for her "services".
The fraud was carried out by people from Derby's Eastern European Roma community, said Adrian Farley, from HMRC.
He said: "The prosecution clearly shows how we are tackling the ruthless theft of money from the public purse. This is money needed to fund public services for the benefit of everyone."
Bil admitted three counts of conspiracy to defraud between May 2008 and July this year. She was jailed for 21 months.
A further three people pleaded guilty at Derby Crown Court to conspiracy offences in relation to the fraud, which the judge described as involving "professional planning".
Work records including pay slips, contracts of employment, P45s and worker registration certificates were supplied for a company that only existed on paper.
Maria Bil, 58, also of Emerson Square, admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud between May 2008 and July this year. She was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
Ryszard Lack, 40, of the same address, admitted three counts of conspiracy to defraud, received a six-month suspended sentence and was ordered to do 160 hours unpaid work.
And Irena Pohlodkova, 33 of Burton Road, admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud between the same dates and was given a six-month suspended sentence, with 200 hours of unpaid work.
More people have been identified as being part of the scam and their cases are currently going through the courts.
That's all you get for organised crime.
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